Adam charged over Giroud clash

Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has been charged by the Football Association with violent conduct following an incident involving Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.

Adam appeared to stand on Giroud in the second half of the Potters' 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory over the Gunners at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, something not seen at the time by referee Mike Jones and his fellow match officials.

Adam has until 6pm on Tuesday to respond to the charge.

The FA statement read: "The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, occurred during the fixture between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday 1 March 2014.

"Under a new pilot project in Premier League matches this season, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel of former elite referees will be asked by The FA to review it and advise what, if any action, they believe the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.

"For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence.

"In this instance, the panel were of the unanimous decision that it was an act of violent conduct."

Stoke reacted to the FA's announcement by issuing a statement stressing Adam's intention to "appeal vigorously".

It said: "The club have learnt within the last hour that the FA has chosen to charge Charlie Adam.

"Charlie and the club are surprised and disappointed to learn of this and will appeal vigorously against the decision."